Solar powered mobile phone chargers for off-grid communities

Mobile phones play an important role in the running and growth of small businesses in developing countries. Individuals use them to arrange the transport of their produce, promote or respond to advertised services, and manage their finances. It can be difficult, however, for off-grid communities to access the electricity needed to charge their phones.

As such, the Low Carbon Enterprise Fund has decided to support an initiative which supplies solar powered mobile phone chargers to impoverished villages. This initiative brings environmental and socio-economic benefits to a population in need. What is particularly interesting with this venture is that each village is empowered to run its own business charging the community’s mobile phones, since charging stations are made available on long lease to a trained villager.

The solar company LCEF is investing in has 20 years experience in producing home systems and water pumps and has recently begun branching out with its own design of solar charging station. Prior to our involvement, the entrepreneur of this project managed to fund charging units for 23 villages; with our assistance we hope to roll this out to 100 villages in the coming year.